Draft:Worldview International Foundation


Worldview International Foundation (WIF)

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Worldview International Foundation
AbbreviationWIF
FormationEstablished in 1979
FounderDr. Arne Fjortoft
TypeNon-profit Organization
HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
ServicesBlue Carbon and Mangrove Restoration
Staff
Approximately 380, and over 3.000 seasonal planters (2024)
Websitehttps://wif.website/about-us/our-team/

Worldview International Foundation (WIF) is a non-profit organization that develops blue carbon projects focusing on mangrove restoration. These projects, rated by BeZero, produce blue carbon credits and are funded through private investments. WIF emphasizes community development.[1], directing proceeds from its projects into supporting infrastructure, education, and sustainable livelihoods in the local communities of its project areas.[2]

Founded in 1979 by Dr. Arne Fjortoft, WIF is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, with offices in Yangon, Myanmar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, New York, USA, and an international board of trustees in Oslo, Norway. Since 2024, Kim Noguera Gabrielli has served as Chief Executive Officer, following his roles as CEO of UN Global Compact Norway and Deputy Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF Norway.

WIF's projects adhere to VERRA certification standards and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement[3]

History

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Worldview International Foundation (WIF) was founded by Dr. Arne Fjørtoft in partnership with Dr. Ananda Tissa De Alwis, a State Minister of Sri Lanka, and Dr. A.C.S. Hameed, who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka from 1977-1989. Over the following decades, WIF completed more than 620 projects across 26 countries[4], focusing on issues such as health, agriculture, food security, education, democracy, and human rights. During this period, WIF collaborated with UN agencies, the Norwegian government, and other international partners.

In 2012, WIF shifted its focus to mangrove restoration and blue carbon projects, beginning with the establishment of the Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park in Myanmar. The project was developed in collaboration with Pathein University, Myeik University, and Myanmar’s Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry. This project facilitated WIF’s entry into the Voluntary Carbon Market. Today, WIF manages 6 Verra-verified projects in Myanmar and one in Malaysia, continuing its work in environmental restoration and community development.

Areas of work

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Mangrove Restoration and Blue Carbon Credits

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WIF focuses on restoring mangrove forests, integral to blue carbon ecosystems, due to their ability to capture and store atmospheric carbon in coastal environments. These restoration projects contribute to climate change mitigation and generate blue carbon credit, whose sales further finance environmental and social initiatives. In 2022, WIF’s project VCS ID 1764 received an AA rating from BeZero Carbon[5], an independent rating agency that assesses the quality and impact of carbon credits.

Sustainable Development of Local Communities

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In addition to environmental restoration, WIF supports the livelihoods of coastal communities in its project areas[6]. 50% of net profits from the sale of blue carbon credits are allocated to sustainable development projects, including microfinancing, infrastructure development, and education initiatives. These efforts are designed to align with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on enhancing local economies, improving access to education and healthcare, and fostering sustainable livelihoods[6]. Through these initiatives, WIF contributes to community resilience while promoting environmental sustainability.

Current projects

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  • VCS ID 1764 - 2100 Hectares, 184.006 estimated annual emission reductions.
  • VCS ID 2088 - 2100 Hectares, 403.831 estimated annual emission reductions.
  • VCS ID 2792 - 1003 Hectares, 70.285 estimated annual emission reductions.
  • VCS ID 3730 - 1500 Hectares, 91.861 estimated annual emission reductions.
  • VCS ID 3818 - 3700 Hectares, 59.130 estimated annual emission reductions.
  • VCS ID 5050 - 7000 Hectares, 196.274 estimated annual emission reductions.

See Also

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  1. ^ "Key Carbon Ltd". key-carbon.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  2. ^ "Worldview International Foundation - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations". www.cbinsights.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  3. ^ "Worldview International Foundation | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". uia.org. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  4. ^ "Key Carbon Ltd". key-carbon.com. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  5. ^ "Publicly Available Carbon Ratings". BeZero Carbon. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  6. ^ a b "Worldview International Foundation – Equator Initiative". Retrieved 2024-11-06.